31 COVID-19 Cases After Completing Vaccination... "No Severe or Fatal Cases"

On the 21st, when Moderna vaccine administration for medical personnel under 30 at tertiary hospitals officially began, medical staff received the Moderna vaccine at the vaccination center of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] The confirmed cases of 'breakthrough infections'?COVID-19 infections occurring after completing vaccination?have increased to 11. Including suspected 'probable cases' of breakthrough infections, the total reaches 31.

On the 22nd, Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at the regular COVID-19 briefing, "As of the 17th, among 2,172,526 people who completed the recommended vaccination and passed 14 days, there are 31 suspected cases of breakthrough infection," and "Among these, 11 have been confirmed as breakthrough infection cases."

Currently, health authorities classify cases confirmed positive 14 days after completing the recommended COVID-19 vaccination doses as 'suspected breakthrough infection cases,' and among these, cases confirmed to have been infected after virus exposure 14 days post-vaccination are classified as 'confirmed breakthrough infection cases.'

The incidence rate of suspected breakthrough infection cases was calculated at 1.43 per 100,000 people. By vaccine type, Pfizer accounted for 20 cases (1.2 per 100,000), and AstraZeneca (AZ) for 11 cases (2.1 per 100,000). Authorities evaluated this incidence rate as lower than reported overseas cases, such as 10.2 per 100,000 in the United States.

By gender, 20 cases (64.5%) were female and 11 cases (35.5%) were male. By age group, there were 2 cases in their 20s, 3 in their 30s, 4 in their 40s, 6 in their 50s, 4 in their 70s, and 12 cases (38.7%) aged 80 and above.

Epidemiological investigations estimated that 11 cases were 'confirmed breakthrough infection cases.' Lee reported, "So far, there have been no severe or fatal cases among them, and no additional confirmed cases among their contacts."

Lee emphasized, "Breakthrough infections can occur with all vaccines. However, breakthrough infections occur rarely, and vaccination continues to demonstrate effectiveness in preventing severe illness and reducing further transmission, confirming the ongoing benefits and utility of vaccines."